Type-writing machine.



E. G. LATTA.

TYPE WRH'ENG MACHINE.

APPLICAHON HLED DEC. 4. 19:5.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET E. G. LATTA.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPUCAYION FILED 020.4 I9I5.

1 ,274, 567. Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 g} m fl 4 Mrfbrneya.

E G LATTA TYPE WRITING MACHlNE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4 19:5.

UNITED STATEES PATENT OFFICE.

EMMIT G. LATTA, 0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CORONA TYPEWBITER COMPANY, INC., A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Original application filed December 4. 1915, Serial No. 64,950. Divided and this application filed December 4.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EMMrr G. LATTA, a

citizen of the the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Type-\Vriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in typcwriting machines, and while the improvements are especially intended for application to portable typewriters of the kind adapted to be collapsed into compact form for carrying the same from place to place, and are peculiarly suited to and are herein shown and dcscrlbed in connection with a collapsible machine, they are not necessarily restricted to rise in connection with colapsible typewriters.

The ob ccts of the invention are to produce a type-har-key-action which is composedof few parts and is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, but which will be light and strong and operate with an easy quick action and with a uniform depression of the keys; also to arrange the key actions and universal bar and pivotally mount these parts and the space bar in a novel and desirable manner; and also to improve type writing machines in the other respects hereinaftcr described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a typewriting machine embodying the invention, parts of the machine being omitted-to simplify the drawing.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation similar to Fig. 1, showing the machine collapsed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the front portion of the movable frame with the side plate thereof removed.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, of the machine, portions of the movable frame and carriage being omitted to disclose the underlying parts.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional elevation of the machine in line 5-5, Fig. 1.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary longit-udi nal sectional elevations on line 6-6, Fig. 4, respectively showing the space bar-in the normal and depressed positions.

Serial No. 64,951.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation showing the position of one of the type-bars, the universal bar and connected parts when one of the finger keys is depressed.

Fig. 9 is a view showing the three different forms of key stems in side elevation.

The invention is shown and described in this application in connection with a collapsible typewriting machine, which in many respects is like the machine disclosed in my pending application, Serial No. (358,153, filed Nov. 2nd 1911, and some of the features herein claimed, for example, the mounting of the key stems for the several keys of the keyboard in a single row at the middle portion of the keyboard with each key stem supported by a pair of links, and the pivotal mounting of the key actions, are disclosed but not claimed in said application, while other features herein shown and de scribed but not claimed form the subject of an application filed of even date here with of which this is a division. a

In the construction shown in the draw ings, the main frame of the machine, as in said other machine is composed of a stationary base frame or part A adapted to rest on a supporting surface, and a movable frame or part B, which is pivoted at its front portion to the front portion of the stationary frame so that the rear portion of the movable frame, which supports the platen carriage can swing to lower the carriage from an elevated operative position to an inoperative position in rear of the type-bars, which are mounted in the stationary frame, but the ivotal connection of the frame is located igher and farther to the rear than in said other machine in order to further reduce both the height and length of the machine when collapsed and the frames are of somewhat different construction for the purpose hereinafter described. The stationary frame A has sides 0: which are disconnected at their front ends to leave the space between them unobstructed, and the. front end or cross-bar b of the movable frame is detachably secured to the sides 6 thereof, by screws I)" or otherwise, to facilitate machining the The frames are pivotally connected preferably by screws which are screwed tightly into threaded holes in the sides of the stationary frame and have large heads fitting in circular holes in the sides of the movable frame, which are located outside of the sides of the stationary frame. The movable frame can be stationarily secured in its raised and lowered positions to the stationary frame by any suitable means, such as thumb screws c carried by the sides of the movable frame and adapted to be screwed into upper and lower holes in the sides of the stationary fra'mc, as in said other machine.

D represents the platen which is journaled in a carriage which can be constructed and arranged to travel crosswlsc of the machine on a guide track (Z on the rear end of the movable frame B, as disclosed in said application or in any other suitable manner.

E represents one of the type-bars which are pivotally mounted in any suitable way on a supporting segment e so as to swing upwardly and rearwardly to print at the front side of the platen. Each ty 'ie-bar has a plurality of type, prefei ably thfec, and the segment is secured on a shift frame F which is pivoted in the stationary frame A to swing up and down for printing different case characters. The shift frame is pivoted to swing about an axis coincidentor sub stantially coincident with the pivoted axis of the movable main frame 13, the shift frame preferably having forwardly diver ing arms pivoted on the reduced inner ends of the pivot screws for the main frame. The shift frame and the movable main frame B can, however. he pivoted in any other suitable way enabling them to swing about a. common or substantially common center.

The shift frame can be shifted up or down for different case printing by any suitable means. for instance by shift keys f f" such as shown in said prior application provided with cam portions engaging a roller on the shift frame. f represents a cross rod which rigidly connects the sides of the shift frame and serves to support the type basket or back stop f for the type bars.

G represents the. linger keysfor actuating the ty].ie-bars. They are provided with key stems 5/ g. 5 (see Fig. it) of as many different forms as there are banks of keys. there being in the construction shown. three banks of keys and three different forms of stems. Each key stem is pivoted to a pair of parallel supporting links I: II which are pivoted to and extend tttllWVtll'lilt'i one above the other from the front cross-bar r) of the movable frame B. The lower portions of all of the key stems. which are pivoted to the links. are arranged side by side in a single transverse row or plane, and the upper portions of the key stems g extend substantially directly upwardly from their connections with the links it while the upper portions of the stems g extend forwardly and upwardly and the upper portions of the remaining stems extend rearwardly and upwardly from their connections with the links h, thus locating the finger keys in three transverse banks or rows, one in front and one in rear of the middle bank or row of keys on the straight key stems g. Preferably the upper links it enter vertical slots k in a rearwardly projecting upper edge of the cross-bar and are pivoted on a single pivot wire h while the lower links are similarly pivoted in slots in the lower edged the bar on a second pivot wire b. Each slotted edge of the bar I) is cut lengthwise at h intersecting the slots. see Fig. 5, and the bottom of this cut is planed out to form a seat for the pivot wire and prevent its lateral displacement. The pivot wires It h extend from end to end of the cross-bar and are held from longitudinal movement by the sides of the frame B. In this way the links for the whole series of keys are pivoted on two pivot wires, which greatly simplifies the manufacture, while, nevertheless, providing strong stable pivotal connections affording ample lateral support for the links.

I represents connecting links-pivoted at their front ends to depending legs i on the upper key supporting links it and pivoted at their rear ends to the type-bars. Ali of the pivot joints between the connecting links I and the key supporting links are located on a single line i coincident or substantially coincident with the pivotal axis of the frame B and the shift frame F. This arrangement insures the same action of the keys and type-bars in all positions of the shift frame, and when the machine is collapsed the finger keys and their supporting stems and links can swing with the frame B about the line if from their operative position to the collapsed position shown in Fig. 2, from which it will be seen that the high rear portion of the keyboard moves downwardly and rearwardly toward the type-bars while the front portion thereof and the front end of the movable frame B move upwardly and rearward ly thereby decreasing both the height and length of the machine from front to rear:

It represents the universal bar, which is 'ireferably suspended by upright end legs k and a middle leg is entering slots in the upper edge of the crossbar b and pivoted on the pivot wire 72 in the same manner as the upper key supporting links it. The universal bar is located in front of, and is adapted to be struck and moved forwardly by the legs '17 of the upper key supporting links it when the keys are depressed, as shown in Fig. 8. The middle leg is of the universal bar are fulcrumed on the 'indicatedat 0 in Fig universal bar is pivoted to the front end of a rod or link L which passes rearwardly and upwardly between the two central type-bars and is pivoted at its rear end to'a combined ribbon vibrator and escapement trip lever Z fulcrumed on the rear end of the movable frame B beneath the carriage. The front end of the lever Z is connected to a ribbon vibrator Z which may be of any suitable con struction and its rear end is connected as by a rod Z to the carriage escapement (not shown) for actuating these devices.

M represents the space-bar, which, as shown, is provided with end arms m and a middle arm m which like the arms of the pivot wire k in vertical slots in the upper edge of the crossbar b. The middle arm m is connected by a link m Figs. 6 and 7 to a lever n which is preferably fulcrumed on the lower pivot wire it in a slot in the lower edge of the cross-bar with one end arranged to strike a projection 12 on the universal bar for moving the latter when the space bar is depressed. The lever 'n and link m are omitted from Fi 1 to avoid complicating this figure. As t e slots in the cross-bar b for the several key-supporting links, and arms for the universal bar and space bar can all becut at the same time by a series of suitable cutters arranged on a single mandrel, the cross bar is inexpensive to make.

Theupright arts of several of the key stemsat the mi dle of the keyboard are 011'- set slightly between the pivots connecting them to the upper and lower links it h, as 4, in order to clear the links I. The remaining key stems are not offset in this way, as the diverging lines of the links I connected to them makes this unnecessary. The key stems as seen in Fig. 4, are located at the outer sides of the links it except in the case of one of the stems ad'acent to the bar-I: which is located at the 1nner side of the. link ,to make room for the slots in the bar 6 which receive the middle arms is, m for the universal bar and s ace bar. The key actions and other wor ing parts of the machine are returned to their normal positions by suitable springs which are not shown in order not to confuse the drawings. Springs which partially support the weight of the shift frame are also omitted for the same reason.

In the key action above described the type bar links I are connected directly to the key supporting links it instead of to links connecting the rear ends of the up er and lower key supporting links, as in said prior application. This change reduces the weight of the action and enables the key action to be mountedaon the movable part of the collapsible frame instead of on the stationarfy part thereof. .It also reduces the number 0 parts by one stamping and two pivots for each key action, while retaining all of the advantages of the former construction of mounting the several banks of keys on two pivot wires in the slotted bar. The action is-further sim pl-ified in that the slotted'bar can be inachined in one operation. Lhe construction results in a uniform depression of the several keys, equal leverage, light weight and consequent easy action. The type bars are also moved with an accelerating motion which will'be greater or less depending upon the location of the pivot joints between the links It and the links I. By removing the screws that secure the cross bar I) in the movable frame and the pivot screws C connecting the two parts of the main frame and disconnecting the universal rod L from the lever Z, the entire keyboard, universal bar, space bar and shift frame with the type bars can be removed. from the machine and all of these parts with their numerous joints cleaned by immersing the same (all but the keys and space bar) in a cleansing liquid.

The features disclosed in this application which pertain particularly to the collapsibility of the machine are claimed in said other application of even date herewith.

claim as my invention p 1. Iii a typewriting machine, the combina tion of a series of type-bars, a series of key stems arranged, side by side in a single row and supporting finger keys in difierent banks, parallel links arranged one above the other and movably supporting each key stem, the upper link for each stem having a depending lever, leg, and a link connecting each ofsaid legs-to one of the type-bars.

2. In a typewriting machine, a keyboard comprising upright key stems, parallel links pivoted one above the other to each of said key stems, and a support having slots in which said links are pivotally mounted.

3. In a typewriting machine, a keyboard comprising upright key stems, two parallel series of supporting links pivotally connected to the key stems, and a support having two series of slots in which said two'series of links are pivotally mounted.

4. In a typewriting machine, a keyboard comprising upright key stems, two parallel series of supporting links pivotally connected to the key stems, and a support having two series of slots in whichsaid'two series of links are pivotally mounted on two wires.

5. In a typewriting machine, a keyboard comprising a series of upright key stems for the several keys arranged in a single row extending transversely between the front and rear edges of the keyboard, two parallel series of links supporting all of the key stems, and a support havin two series of slots in whichsaid'two series of links are pivotally mounted.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a keyboard comprising keys arranged in different banks and key stems for all of said keys arranged in a single row, parallel pivoted links supporting each of said key stems, and a universal bar arranged to be engaged by one of the links for each key stem.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a keyboard comprising keys arranged in different banks and having upright key stems, two parallel series of pivoted links supporting the key stems for all of the keys, and a universal bar arranged to be engaged by the links of one of said series.

8. In a ty ewritin machine, the combination of a reyboar comprising keys and upright key stems, pivoted links supporting said key stems, a support on which said links are pivoted, and a universal bai mounted on said support for the links.

9. In a typewritin machine, the combination of a keyboar comprising keys and upright key stems, pivoted links supporting said key stems, a universal bar, and a slotted support in the slots of which said links and universal bar are pivotally mounted.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a keyboard comprising keys and upright key stems, pivoted links supporting said key stems, a universal bar, and a support detachably mounted in the machine on which said links and universal bar are pivotally mounted and which is removable with the links and universal bar thereon.

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a keyboard comprising keys and upright key stems, pivoted links on which said key stems are mounted to move up and down and a universal bar arranged in front of said key stems in position to be engaged by said links.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a keyboard comprising keys and upright key stems, pivoted links on which said key stems are mounted to move up and down, a universal bar arranged in front of said key stems in position to be engaged by said links, a device to be actuated y the universal bar, and a connection extending rearwardly from said universal bar to said device.

'13. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a keyboard comprising keys and upright key stems, pivoted links on which said key stems are mounted to move up and down, a spaeebar, and a slotted support in the slots of which said links and space bar are pivotally mounted.

14. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a keyboard comprising keys and upright key stems, pivoted links on which said ey stems are mounted to move up and down, a space bar. universal bar, and a slotted support in the slots of which said links, space bar and universal bar lllt pivotally mounted.

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a keyboard comprising keys and upright key stems, pivoted links on which said key stems are mounted to move up and down, a space bar and a universal bar hav ing supporting arms, a slotted support llllw the slots of which said links and arms for the space bar and universal bar extend, and a common pivot wire for said links and arms 16. In a typewriting machine, the eo1nbination of a main frame having a front cross bar, a keyboard comprising keys and up right key stems, and links pivoted to aid cross bar on which said key stems up mounted to move up and down.

17. In a typewriting maehimr. the combination of a main frame having a front cross bar, a keyboard comprising keys and iu'iriglit stems. links pivoted to said as bar on which said key stems are mounted to move up and down, and a uniu-r :l bar pivotally mounted on said cross-bar.

18. In typewriting machine. the would nation of a main frame having a front mos-. bar which is detachable froz'n the frame. a keyboard comprising keys and upright key stems, and links )ivoted to seal do tachable crossbar on which at. key stems are mounted to move up and down.

19. In a typewriting machine. the combina tion of av frame, a wries of type bars, a series of key stems having portions thereof arranged side-byside in a single row. parallel links pivoted at their torn ard ends in the frame and movably supporting each key stem, connectimis between the links and type bars. and finger keys arranged in banks supported on said key stems.

20. In atypewriting machine, the comb-ination of a frame, parallel rows of links arranged One above the other, the links of each row being pivotally supported at their forward ends in the frame, a series of key stems arranged side by side in a single row and supporting finger keys in different banks, said key stems being movably supported by the free rear end of one link of each row, depending arms rigidly connected with the links of one of said rows, :1 series of type bars, and operative connections between said depending arms and said type bars.

21. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, parallel rows of links arranged one above the other, the links of each row being pivotally supported at their forward ends in the frame, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger keys ina plurality of banks, said,

lgley stems being movably supported by one ink of each row, depending arms rigidly nected with the links of one of said rows, Eggs bars, a link connecting each depending arm with one of said type bars, and a univer'sa] bar movwbly supported in the frame in front of said depending arms and adapted to be actuated thereby. I

22. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a universal bar movably supported in the forward end of the frame, a, space bar pivotally supported in the forward end of the frame abovethe universal bar, an arm pivotal] supported in the frame below the universal liar and adapted to move said her, and connections between the space bar and said arm for causing the free end of said arm to engage'and move the universal bar.

23. In a t pewriting machine, the combination of a f rame, a universal bar pivotally sup orted in the frame, a space bar pivotall supported in the frame at a point coincident with the pivotal point of the universal bar,-an arm pivotally supported in the frame at a point below the universal bar, and a link connecting said arm and space bar for causing said ann to rock the universal bar.

2.4. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, parallel rows of links arranged one above the other, the links of each row being pivotally supported in the frame at their forward ends, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, said stems being movably supported by one link of each row, depending arms rigidly connected with the links of one of said rows, type bars, operative connections between the type bars and key stems, a universal bar movably supported in the frame in front of said depending arms and adapted to be moved thereby when the key stems are actuated, a space bar supported in the frame above said universal bar, by the space bar for actuating the universal bar.

25. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, parallel rows of links arranged one above the other, the links of each row bein r pivotally supported in the frame at their orward ends, a series of key stems arranged in a singlerow and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, said stems being movably supported by one link of each row, depending arms rigidly connected with the links of one of said rows, type bars, operative connections between the type bars and key stems, a universal bar immably sup-ported in the frame in front of said depending arms and adapted to be moved thereby when the key stemsare actuated, a space bar su ported in the frame above said universal r, an armpivotally and means operable arm for actuating 26. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, parallel rows of links arranged one above the other, the links of each row bein pivotally supported in the frame at their orward ends, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting fin ger keys in a plurality of banks, said stems being movably supported by one link -of each row, depending arms rigidly connected with the links of one of said rows, type bars, operative connections between the type bars and key stems, a universal bar pivotally sup-- ported in the frame in front of said depending arms and adapted to be moved thereby, a space bar pivotally in the frame at a point coincident with the pivotal point;

of the universal bar, an arm pivotally supported in tlib frame at a point below the universal bar, and a link connecting said arm and the space bar for causing said arm to rock the universal bar. 27. Inat pewritingmachine, the combination of 21 firms, a type segment and type bars, a key action, -a case shift frame, a space bar, a universal bar, and means for supportin said devices for removal bodily from the frame in assembled relation.

28. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame having a detachable front cross bar, a key action supported on said cross bar, a case shift frame detachably supported in the main frame, a type se ment and type bars supported in the shi t frame, and operative connections between the key action and type bars, said cross bar and shift frame being'removable together from the main frame with the parts supported thereby in assembled relation.

29. In a ty ewriting machine, the combination of a rame, a series of type bars, a

series of key stems arranged in a sin le row and supporting finger keys of banks, parallel links arranged one above the other stem, operativeconnections between the key stems and type bars, a universal. bar movably supported in the frame and adapted to be actuated by one series of said parallel links, means supported in the frame for actuating a ribbon vibrator and a connection between said ribbon vibrator actuating means for operating said means. r 30. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a series of type bars, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger of banks, parallel links arranged one above the other and movably supporting each key universal bar and said in a p urality and movably supporting each key keys in a plurality I stem, operative connections between the -key stems and type bars, a universal bar movably supported in the frame and adapted to be actuated by one series of said parallel links, means supported in the frame for actuating a carriage escapement mechanism, and a connection between said universal bar and said carriage escapement actuating means for operating said means.

31. In a t ewriting machine, the combination of.- a rame, a series of type bars, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, parallel links arranged one above the other and movably supporting each key stem, operative connections between the key stems and type bars, a universal bar movabl supported in the frame and adapted to e actuated by one series of said parallel links, a combined ribbon vibrator and carriage escapement actuating device supported in the frame, and an operative connection between the universal bar and said device.

32. In a typewriting machine, .the combination of a frame, a series of type bars, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, parallel links arranged one above the other and movably supporting each key stem, operative connections between the key stems and type bars, a universal bar inovably supported in the frame and adapted to be actuated by one series of said parallel links, a bell crank lever supported in the frame and having one arm operatively connected with a ribbon vibra-' tor, and a rod connecting said universal bar with said lever to rock said lever.

33. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a series of type bars, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, parallel links arranged one above the other and movably supporting .each key stem, operative connections be- -tween the key stems and type bars, a universal bar movably supported in the frame and adapted to be actuated by one series of said parallel links, a bell crank lever supported in the frame and having one arm operatively connected with a carriage escapement actuating device, and a rod connecting the universal bar and bell crank lever to rock said lever.

34. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a series of. type bars, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, parallel links arranged one above the other and movably supportimg each key stem, operative connections between the key stems and type bars, a universal bar movably supported in the frame and adapted to nation of a frame, parallel rows of links arranged one above the other, the links of each row beihg pivotally supported at their forward ends in the frame, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, said stems being movably supported by one link of each row, depending arms connected with the links of one of said rows, a universal bar pivotally supported in the frame in front of said depending arms and adapted to be moved thereby, means supported at the rear of the frame for actuating a ribbon vibrator, and a connection between the universal bar and said means for actuating said means.

36. In a. typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, parallel rows of links arranged one above the other, the links of each row beingpivotally supported at their forward ends in the frame, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, said stems being movably supported by one link of each row, depending arms connected with the links of one of said rows, a universal bar pivotally supported in the frame in front of said depending arms and adapted to be moved thereby, means supported at the rear of the frame for actuating a carriage escapement device, and a connection between the universal bar and said means for actuat ing said means.

37. In a t pewriting machine, the comb nation of a rame, parallel rows of links ail ranged one above the other, the links of @531; h row bein pivotally supported at their for ward ends in the frame, a series of key stems arranged in a single row and support ing finger keys in a plurality of banks, said stems being movably supported by one link of each row, depending arms connected with the links of one of said rows, a universal bar pivotally supported in the frame in front of said depending arms and adapted to be moved thereby, a rocking lever supported in the frame and operatively connected with a ribbon vibrating device and a carriage escapement device, and a connection between the universal bar and said lever for rocking the lever.

38. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a series of type bars, a

series of key stems arranged in a single row,

and supporting finger keys in a plurality of banks, parallel links arranged one above l i. (l

the other and mumbly supporting each key capement device, and a connection between m stem, operative connections between the key said means and the universal bur.

stems and type bars, A universal bar movably fitness my hand this 29th (lay of Novem supported in the frame and ada.pted t0 be ber,1915.

aetnniml by nne serice of said parallel links, EMMIT 6 a wa e bar. sn nwrtml on the frame, means operated by (he s mee hm for nchmting the Witnesses:

universal bar. means supported at the rear OTTO RAUscH,

of the frame for actuating a carriage es- LORING R. FOWLER. 

